Packaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus or structure that aids in protecting a packaging assembly from damage. The apparatus or structure is also contemplated to protect the items retained in the packaging materials as well as facilitate storing the packaging materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to structures used in packaging, and more particularly to a device or assembly providing protection to both the packaging as well as an item retained in the packaging.

Various approaches have been taken in packaging materials over the years. Consideration has been given to protecting the device or item being packaged as well as to issues relating to conveniently storing and shipping the package. Packages include flat surfaces so that items can be stacked. The size and shape of the package also can lend itself to easier storage. Also, the weight of the packaging materials is a consideration in shipping costs.

Trade dress and the attractiveness of a package for a product is also often a concern. The packaging materials might assume a particular shape in order to draw attention to the product. In this way, a manufacturer can both provide a container that is easily identifiable to a repeat customer or one that catches the eye of a consumer who is a new customer.

It is sometimes advantageous to incorporate a viewing window into the design of a package. The window provides a convenient way to display the contents of the package and consequently, can draw consumers to a particular product.

A number of packaging designs incorporate a handle for transporting the assembly. Other packaging designs do not include such structures as a handle may not be necessary or is viewed as an unnecessary extraneous substructure.

It has been found that certain packaging designs which include a viewing or displaying window and otherwise lacks a handle or the like, can suffer damage during transport and handling. Other devices which include a handle can also suffer from damage during handling. That is, a customer, for example, might grasp the packaged device by inserting their fingers between the display window and other portions of the package. Often, the structural integrity of the packaging materials are not of a character to handle the weight or forces being applied to the package. As a result, the package can tear and rip. The customers or other individual handling the package will then return the items to the shelf. The damage items are ultimately returned to a supplier only to be repackaged for sale or to be discarded at the cost of the manufacture.

Accordingly, a need exists for structures to be incorporated into a packaging assembly to protect the integrity of packaging assemblies. Such structure can be designed to aid in both the handling as well as the stacking and protection of the item that is packaged.

The present invention satisfies these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly and in general terms, the present invention is directed towards an apparatus intended to facilitate maintaining the structural integrity of a packaging assembly. The apparatus of the present invention also aids in protecting a device retained within the packaging assembly.

In one aspect, the present invention is embodied in an insert including a projecting portion contemplated to follow a path defined by a cut-out of a container housing an item for packaging. The projecting portion can assume the shape of a sidewall tracking the contours of the window and further includes a substantially planar portion connecting the sidewalls.

In one particular embodiment, the insert is molded to form a useful configuration for protecting the packaging container. The insert can be fabricated from a clear or translucent plastic material to thereby provide a packaging assembly with a viewing window. The projecting portion of the insert can be configured to extend beyond the surface of the packaging container to aid in stacking a plurality of apparatus and to further protect item contained in the package.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging assembly including a package insert;

FIG. 2 is a side view, depicting the package assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view, depicting the packaging components of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, depicting an alternate embodiment of a packaging assembly; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view, depicting the packaging component of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings which are provided by way of example and not limitation, the present invention is embodied in a packaging assembly intended to protect a packaged item as well as the packaging materials themselves. Often, packaging materials are grasped by portions of the assembly that cannot bear the weight of the overall items. Grabbing or holding the package from such locations can result in the package tearing. Consequently, the damaged product is returned to be repackaged or discarded entirely.

The present invention provides structure to a packaging assembly to help avoid damage to a product during transportation or stacking. That is, the present invention facilitates handling a package in a manner to avoid damage.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a typical package 20 embodying the present invention. The package 20 includes a container 30, a molded insert 40 and the packaged items 50.

The container 30 can take on any necessary form, shape and size to accommodate a particular packaged item. As shown, the container 30 is generally rectangular in shape. The container 30 further includes a front side 32 having an opening 34 cut therein. The opening 34 is bounded by an edge 36. As with the shape of the container 30, the opening 34 and edge 36 can have any desired shape or configuration.

The molded insert 40 includes a peripheral portion 42, a sidewall 44 which can be continuous if desired, and a central portion 46. The sidewall 44 is shaped to track or match that of the opening 34 so that they form corresponding pieces. The sidewall 44 is intended to extend from and beyond the peripheral and central portions 42, 46 of the molded insert. The sidewall 44 can include an outer wall 47, an inner wall 48 and a top wall 49.

In one specific embodiment, the outer and inner walls 47, 48 are parallel and the top wall 49 is perpendicular to the inner and outer walls 47, 48. It is also contemplated that the inner and outer walls 47, 48 can be slanted or not parallel to each other and the top wall 49 can be rounded or angled.

The peripheral portion 42 can be planar as can the central portion 46 of the molded insert. Again, other shapes can be employed for the peripheral 42 and central portions 46. For example, the central portion 46 can include various regular or irregular projections and cavities sized and shaped to mate with surfaces of a packaged item 50. The central portion 46 can include a planar portion arranged adjacently to the sidewalls 44 and can have maximum height less than that of the sidewalls 44. Furthermore, the sidewalls 44 and central portion 46 can be configured to aid in stacking the items by providing mating surfaces for a rear side of the container 30. The molded insert 40 also functions to provide column strength to the package which can help protect the item 50 during stacking.

Generally, the sidewalls 44 are intended to extend beyond the front side surface 32 of the container 30. Moreover, the outer walls 48 of the sidewalls 44 track the edge 36 that defines the boundary of the opening in the front surface 32 of the container 30. In this way, the sidewalls 44 can be made to abut the edge 36 of the opening 34.

Such a configuration does not allow adequate space for grasping the packing assembly by the opening 34 of the container 30. A person's fingers simply cannot enter the junction between the sidewalls 44 and the edge 36 and thus, the package 20 cannot be carried by its opening 34. Since packages are often found to be ripped or otherwise damaged when carried by their openings, especially in packages for tools and other heavy items, the protective sidewalls 44 tends to facilitate protecting the package during transportation or stacking.

In an alternate embodiment, the molded insert 40 can further form part or all of a handle 60. That is, the peripheral part 42 of the insert 40 can include a space 62 for receiving a person's hand. The peripheral part 42 can be made of a material having the structural integrity to completely form a handle 60 or the handle 60 can be formed from portions of the container 30 as well. For example, one or both of the front surface 32 and a rear surface can combine with the molded insert 40 to form a handle 60. The handle 60 also can of course be formed from the container 30 itself without any participation of the container.

Thus, it will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A packaging assembly, comprising: an item for packaging; a container sized to receive the item, the container including a front side, the front side including an opening formed therein, the opening bounded by a continuous edge of the front side, the edge having a shape defining a first area having a first dimension; and a molded insert, the molded insert formed from transparent material, the molded insert including a perimeter defining a second area having a second dimension which is greater than the first dimension, the molding insert further including a generally planar peripheral portion terminating at the perimeter, a central portion having a first maximum height and a continuous sidewall projecting from the planar portion and having a second height greater than the first maximum height; wherein the continuous sidewall extends beyond the front side of the container and follows a path that matches the shape of the continuous edge.
 2. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the molded insert includes an outer sidewall, a top wall, and an inner sidewall, the inner and outer sidewalls being parallel to each other and the top wall being generally perpendicular to the inner and outer sidewalls.
 3. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the second height of the sidewall is greater than a height of any other portion of the molded insert.
 4. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is bounded by planar portions of the molded insert on all sides.
 5. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the continuous edge of the container defines a generally rectangular pattern.
 6. The packaging assembly of claim 5, wherein the sidewall of the molded insert defines a corresponding generally rectangular pattern.
 7. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the continuous edge of the container defines an irregular geometric shape.
 8. The packaging assembly of claim 7, wherein the sidewall of the molded insert defines a corresponding generally irregular geometric shape.
 9. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the continuous edge abuts the continuous sidewalls along its entire dimension.
 10. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the central portion is planar.
 11. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the control portion includes a series of regular or irregular projections.
 12. The packaging assembly of claim 11, wherein the series of regular or irregular projections are sized and shaped to match corresponding portions of the item for packaging.
 13. The packaging assembly of claim 1, further comprising a handle, the handle being formed by the generally planar peripheral portion of the molded insert.
 14. A packaging assembly, comprising: a container, the container including an edge defining a boundary to an opening; and a molded insert, the molded insert including a planar periphery, a continuous sidewall having a first height and a central portion having a central portion planar portion adjacent the sidewall; wherein the continuous sidewall has a shape that corresponds to the boundary of the opening of the container.
 15. The packaging assembly of claim 13, wherein the insert is transparent.
 16. The packaging assembly of claim 13, wherein the sidewall includes an inner wall that is parallel to an outer wall and a top wall joining the inner and outer walls.
 17. The packaging assembly of claim 13, wherein the molded insert includes a generally planar peripheral portion.
 18. The packaging assembly of claim 17, when a handle is formed in the generally planar peripheral portion. 